In the past I’ve been known to struggle with working with other people. It’s something I’ve worked on over the years, and I’ve improved greatly.
In this post I’ll explain the reasons why I think working well with others is so important, and how you can do it too.
STEP 1: Avoid Toxic People
The first thing you need to do is to learn how to spot toxic people. People often don’t realize they are toxic until it’s too late. A good way to spot someone is to look for red flags.
Some of these include:
Someone who always has to be in control
Someone who always blames others for their mistakes
Someone who constantly blames others for things they did wrong
Someone who talks down on others
Someone who can’t accept personal responsibility
Someone who can’t take criticism
Someone who makes others feel bad about themselves
Someone who tries to manipulate others
STEP 2: Recognize the Signs of Toxicity
When you see these signs, try to avoid being around these people. You can also try to work with them by telling them they are toxic, and then politely tell them to go away.
It’s not always possible to avoid people, but if you can, you’ll feel better.
STEP 3: Do Your Best to Be a Good Listener
When you’re working with someone, you need to do your best to be a good listener. This doesn’t mean you have to agree with everything they say, but you should try to understand where they are coming from.
It helps if you can empathize with where they are coming from, and you can’t do that if you interrupt them.
It helps if you can respond to their points with “I hear what you’re saying, and I agree that it sounds like…” rather than “You’re right, and I’m going to fix that”.
STEP 4: Be Open to Others’ Opinions
People often have different views on the same subject. The trick to working well with others is to accept that.
When you talk to someone, you should be open to listening to their opinions and trying to understand where they are coming from.
If you have different opinions on the same subject, then that’s OK.
STEP 5: Don’t Make Assumptions
People often make assumptions without realizing it. When you talk to others, don’t make assumptions about their intentions or their feelings.
Don’t assume that they are trying to manipulate you or that they are a bad person.
STEP 6: Don’t Take Things Personally
The last thing you need to do is to take things personally. Sometimes, people will try to blame others for their problems, and it’s important not to get caught up in it.
If someone criticizes you, just acknowledge that they are expressing their opinion, and then move on.
Thanks for reading!